If you’re a registered nurse who loves patient care but wants to enhance your abilities, autonomy, and authority, becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) may be the next step in your career. This guide provides examples and discusses the online NP program options available to Michigan professionals like you. We also answer common questions about nurse practitioner education, rank some of the best online schools for Michigan NP students, and go into detail about what you need to be certified. Continue reading to explore the exciting career paths that await nurses ready to earn their NP certification. Why Trust EduMed? We partner with 150+ nursing & allied health professionals to bring you the most in-depth data & insights on higher education & careers in healthcare. Meet our team and review our editorial values. Jump To SectionOnline Nurse Practitioner Programs in MI: Guide to Top Schools
Uncovering Michigan’s Types of NP Programs
For nurses working in Michigan, becoming certified as an NP can lead to meaningful career advancement.This is especially true today, as NPs are in demand in Michigan. Michigan policymakers are even considering expanding the scope of practice for NPs, so that they can help meet the state’s primary care provider shortage.
Nurse practitioner programs typically offer a variety of specialization options, including family, pediatric nursing, women’s health, adult gerontology, acute care, neonatal, and psychiatric. You can earn a master’s degree or doctorate as part of an NP program, and many of these programs offer either fully online or hybrid study schedules alongside live instruction or clinicals.
Details vary from school to school, but there are certain features that accredited online NP programs in Michigan share. See below for more details on these program types and how they might expand your education and career opportunities.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
An MSN degree takes an average of two to three years to complete, depending on its structure and enrollment type. Many MSN programs, including online MSN programs, offer concentrations including neonatal, psychiatric, and adult-gerontology. These courses also prepare you to take the NP certification exam. Applicants must possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and an active registered nurse (RN) license. You may additionally need to submit an essay, provide letters of recommendation, or share your Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score.
- Duration: Two to three years
- Mode: Online
- Cost: $1,056 per credit hour
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Post-Master’s Certificate
A post-master’s certificate program allows nursing students who already hold an MSN or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) to expand their expertise by acquiring further NP specialization. This type of program can usually be completed in one to two years, depending on full- or part-time enrollment status. Applicants are typically required to provide a current nursing license, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Some programs may also require students to have a minimum number of hours of recent clinical experience.
- Duration: One and a half years
- Mode: Hybrid
- Cost: $867 per credit hour
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
A DNP program equips students for roles in specialized care, evidence-based practice, and healthcare leadership. Most students can earn their DNP-NP in three to four years, but there are MSN to DNP and BSN to DNP online bridge programs available, often with a required specialization. Prospective students must have a BSN or MSN and an active nursing license. Other possible requirements include an admissions interview, letters of recommendation, recent clinical experience, and GRE scores.
- Duration: Two years (post-MSN); three years (post-BSN)
- Mode: Hybrid
- Cost: $1,128.50 per credit hour
Frequently Asked Questions from Michigan NP Students
What are accelerated and direct-entry programs for nurse practitioner students?
Accelerated programs and direct entry programs allow professionals with a bachelor’s degree to earn a master’s degree or doctorate in nursing in a shorter time frame. This can be a good option for nursing professionals who wish to earn an NP certification quickly. This is accomplished through transfer credits, little to no general education requirements, and an often aggressive learning timeline. Graduates from accelerated NP programs and direct-entry MSN programs will still need to pass certification as an NP after classes end.
Is accreditation important for online NP programs?
Nursing schoolaccreditation is one of the most important things to consider when choosing a program, as accreditation groups approve programs that have met quality standards and adequately prepare graduates to be skilled NPs. Employers will also have more confidence in your skills if you graduate from an accredited program.
Two of the groups accepted to accredit NP programs in Michigan are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
What should I expect to be studying as part of an NP program?
A quality nurse practitioner program has a comprehensive curriculum that covers important topics, such as healthcare policy, patient safety, leadership, and clinical judgment. NP programs may also include courses that cover specialized topics, depending on what you choose for individual study tracks. These can include elderly care, mental health best practices, and nursing research. As an NP student, you should seek a well-rounded education that prepares you for the complexities you’ll face in a variety of potential roles.
Will there be financial aid available for online NP programs?
Yes, many university programs include financial aid for NP students. The three most common forms of financial assistance for NP students are scholarships, grants, and loans.
Scholarships and grants can come from a variety of sources, such as private organizations, professional associations, community groups, and educational institutions. Both scholarships and grants are excellent options for NP students looking to minimize their educational debt, as they typically don’t require repayment. However, loans are still an option for NP students who need further assistance covering their educational expenses.
What can you do after becoming a nurse practitioner?
Many certified NPs take on healthcare leadership and educational roles, while others may work in a specialty capacity or as a direct care provider for a hospital or facility. For nurses who enjoy providing direct patient care, becoming a direct care provider is a great way to expand their care practices.
Popular leadership positions for NPs include chief nursing officer and director of nursing services. Alternatively, experienced NPs with a desire to teach can pursue professorships at colleges and universities.
Licensing and Certification to Become a Michigan Nurse Practitioner
The road to becoming a licensed NP in Michigan can be smooth and straightforward for MSN or DNP graduates. After graduation, you’ll need to take the NP certification test. Michigan recognizes national NP certification tests, so you just need to make sure you are taking the correct one for your specialty. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) test is for clinical practice roles, while the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) exam also covers clinical management, research, and education in its questions.
Once you pass the test, you can apply for a license with the Michigan Board of Nursing. You’ll need to complete a background check and fingerprinting (about $130), undergo training to identify human trafficking victims (between $10 and $50), and pay the license fee ($45 to $60). There is also a list of things to submit: transcripts for the degree and certification test, RN license proof, and an overview of your clinical experience.
Once you become a fully licensed NP in Michigan, you must renew your license every two years and complete 25 hours of continuing education.
Salary & Career Outlook for Nurse Practitioners in Michigan
Once you've completed the program of your choice, you'll be ready to seek employment as Michigan's newest nurse practitioner. It's natural to wonder about the job market and the expected salary. Across the United States, the nurse practitioner field is booming, with job openings projected to grow by 44.5% over the next decade. In Michigan, the growth rate is also significant, with a projected increase of 41.2% over the next ten years. Additionally, nurse practitioners in Michigan can anticipate earning an excellent salary. As shown below, the state median earnings for nurse practitioners were $122,040 in 2023. While this is just a median and can vary between cities and regions, you'll notice in the table below that six-figure salaries are the norm for nurse practitioners across the Mitten.
| Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $98,290 | $122,040 | $140,400 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $104,560 | $125,730 | $150,760 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $83,490 | $104,650 | $135,580 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $100,820 | $122,760 | $139,060 |
| Flint, MI | $99,820 | $115,820 | $134,720 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI | $82,040 | $119,000 | $140,400 |
| Jackson, MI | $102,260 | $113,930 | $135,010 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $81,140 | $108,380 | $132,000 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $102,350 | $127,550 | $145,750 |
| Midland, MI | $96,050 | $112,900 | $145,300 |
| Monroe, MI | $102,640 | $111,490 | $239,000+ |
| Muskegon, MI | $101,610 | $111,130 | $143,810 |
| Niles-Benton Harbor, MI | $99,640 | $120,160 | $129,200 |
| Saginaw, MI | $99,770 | $120,360 | $156,110 |
Source: Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 266,300 | 384,900 | 118,600 | 44.50% | 26,300 |
| Michigan | 7,370 | 10,410 | 3,040 | 41.20% | 700 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Michigan’s Leading Online Nurse Practitioner Schools
Below is a ranking of top fully online and hybrid NP programs available to Michigan students. Schools are ranked on a variety of metrics important to the student experience and long-term success rate, including average tuition costs, average grant aid awarded to students at these institutions, the student-to-faculty ratio, and more.
The statistics listed are voluntarily provided by schools to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). For more information on how we selected these schools, you can review the “About the Ranking” section. This can also give you a good picture of what to look for in your search for your ideal NP program.
Davenport University
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Why We Selected Davenport University:
- Davenport offers a 20% tuition discount for Michigan Health & Hospital Association members.
- The program provides a 6:1 student/faculty ratio for personalized clinical placements.
- Davenport's graduates pass certification exams at rates higher than the national average.
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$20,064
- Average Institutional Aid$10,173
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course78%
- % of Students Receiving an Award47%
- Student/Faculty Ratio15/1
Northern Michigan University
Marquette, Michigan
Why We Selected Northern Michigan University:
- The program offers a low-residency model with mostly online coursework, enhancing flexibility for working students.
- The MSN program includes 750 supervised clinical practice hours, providing extensive hands-on experience in healthcare settings.
- Northern Michigan University's MSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), ensuring quality education.
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$12,386
- Average Institutional Aid$4,472
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course39%
- % of Students Receiving an Award50%
- Student/Faculty Ratio19/1
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘24-’25 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves.
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic counseling on campus and/or online.
- The existence of career placement services on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system to represent this category with laptop icons.
- % in Online Ed. – Percent of total students taking at least one distance education class.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full-time, as self-reported by the school.
- % Receiving Award – Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an award in 6 years.
- Avg. Inst. Aid – Average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2024
